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Whenever this lockout wraps up, there will be a lot of work to do in a short amount of time before training camp. There will be so many players/agents to contact/negotiate with — from drafted rookies to undrafted rookies to the Cards’ own free agents to universal free agents — that it was going to be difficult if not impossible for general manager Rod Graves and salary cap administrator Justin Casey to get everything done.

But I had a chance to speak to Graves this morning and given the circumstances, the Cardinals will be expanding the negotiating team. Director of player personnel Steve Keim, director of pro personnel T.J. McCreight, assistant director of pro personnel Quentin Harris and director of football administration Reggie Terry will be joining Graves and Casey in the work. Obviously the more complicated contracts will be left to Graves and Casey, but the expansion will allow the Cards a chance to function in what is certain to be warp-speed work.

I first heard this concept from Pat Kirwan on Sirius/XM NFL Radio. I love this idea. Growing the negotiating team will be a must for every team in the league. I hope it goes well. Hopefully they put a call into Mankins if he frees up.

Good – I’m glad to see the proactive, forward thinking move to expand given the circumstances.

Now I worry about what they feel are the “complicated” contracts. Anything more than league minimum? Which means no expansion at all? The lion’s share of the important work will be signing key free agents (like at quarterback) very quickly, perhaps engaging in trade negotiations, while at the same time working to sign the rookies and address other key positions, such as OLB, the interior OL, and ILB. As there will be a tremendous flurry of activity, a singular focus simply isn’t acceptable nor will it produce a final product that will compete.

Darren, do you think anyone is naive enough to think there hasn’t been some kind of communicating and negotiating been going on between agents, owners, players G.M.’s etc.? The Bidwills and the Browns go way back. Can’t believe there hasn’t been some talk between them about Palmer. Same with Eagles mgmnt and Cards about Kolb. Or maybe I should say “OMG I hope so”.

Hey Darren,
Long time no blog First of all I hope this thing really gets done and there are no more hang ups. Sorry I should have asked how you are doing first of all. Well I hope. I would like to hear your opinion on the bomb dropped by thr NFLPA in regards to the insurance policy and each player on current rosters to recieve $200,000 if there is no season. Second of all, I have to agree with Jesse Robles. I really believe that Orton would be a much better decision than Kolb. I think the Eagles are asking to much for him, and they are entirely to eager to trade him. Also, what if anything have you heard about whom the Cards are targeting in free agency? I know, dumb question, just thought I would ask. One other question, exactly how much under the cap are the Cardinals, and are they going to be willing to spend to put a contending team on the field? I only ask because of past years. I mean heck, if we are well under the cap, I believe they should go big, intelligent but big. What are your thoughts Darren? Go Cards!!!

Glad to see them planning ahead instead of coming down to the last few days and wondering, how are we going to get this done?

I believe in any Quarterback the Cardinals bring in. I just hope their completion percentage is greater than 50% *cough* Derek Anderson *cough*. I’m kind of leaning towards Kevin Kolb because we share a similar kind of offense and the fact that he could transition a lot easier than say.. Kyle Orton. But we will see who is standing in that Question Mark of a position.

Another point to make is that with the higher draft pick’s salaries being less under the new rookie scale, that means even more money will need to be used to sign veteran players to reach the floor and, ideally, be near or at the cap.

This is still a very winnable division with the right moves being made in the next two weeks.

We all know that Orton had a really good season last ( then again, he also really fizzled out big time late in the year, opening the door for Tebow to get some starts ) but…what did he do before that that was so great??? Say what you want about his numbers, but the fact remains that he has yet to convince a team that he is THE guy. Heck, he just had a very good season in Denver and yet the Broncos may very well be more inclined to go with Tebow and let Orton move on. He just strikes me as a guy who can play great for short stretches but ultimately lacks consistency.

That being said, having Orton wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I take him ANY DAY over McNabb, Hasselbeck, or Bulger. But on the other side of that coin, I definitely take Kolb, Palmer, or even Skelton over Orton. And at this point, it looks like it’s gonna be Kolb.

Everyone taking Kolb over Orton have no justification for that decision, just because they hear Sando, ESPN, NFL.com and AZ central talking about Kolb, they too are badnwagoners with no facts to justify their decisions. I would take Palmer over everyone, yes, easy choice. I said LOOK AT ORTONS NUMBERS COMPARED TO KOLB, and Kolb has done nothing. He is not worth what they are asking for. All these people wanting Kolb for DRC, or the same people wondering why the Cardinals didnt Keep Rolle and Dansby…becasue they aren’t worth what they are asking for. What we give up for Orton would be way less than Kolb and right now (STAT WISE) Orton is the better deal. Sorry guys, continue to give Kolb Invisble Credit for nothing he has done.

Hmmm…you say that we should compare Orton’s numbers to Kolb’s because Kolb has done nothing…wow, great idea! Why didn’t I think of that? Let’s make a list of 10, 20, 30 QB’s who have done nothing and compare them all to Orton. My guess is that Orton’s numbers will look pretty good. You, my friend, should be Kyle Orton’s agent. Then, his life would be absolutely perfect!

Newsflash, dude – the Cardinals are well aware of what Kolb has done to this point. Obviously, they are basing their interest in him in what they think he CAN DO going forward, NOT what he has done so far. Do you get this now?

Darren very good article and very good news. Please post this quote from Abraham Lincoln in Rod Graves office, “Things may come to those who wait,
but only the things left by those who hustle. This will never be more true than with free agency in the NFL in 2011. Go Cards